County sheriffs, police chiefs speak about Obama's proposals

Jan. 17, 2013

“I see one of the president’s points is requiring the criminal background checks on all gun sales. That would be something that I would strongly support. … If it were a requirement in the law that all weapons go through the background check, I think everyone would feel more comfortable, including most of the sellers.”

— MUSCATINE COUNTY SHERIFF DAVE WHITE

“The biggest one for me is the mental illness. We see so many people fall through the cracks. … I just urge that if there’s something that can be done to give these people better access to health care professionals.”

— FORT MADISON POLICE CHIEF BRUCE NIGGEMEYER

“School resource officers, the COPS (Community Oriented Policing Services) grant, I think is critical. ... Banning assault weapons and high-capacity magazines is strictly a feel-good measure. ... If I wanted to do something, I could have three 10-round instead of one 30-round magazine and still fire off just about the same amount in the same amount of time.”

— OTTUMWA POLICE CHIEF JIM CLARK

One problem is that juveniles adjudicated for a felony, including a violent crime, can get a weapons permit once they turn 18 because information in sealed court records is not a disqualifier. And the state removes drunken driving cases from the public record, so sheriffs don’t see trends of past alcohol abuse that might be a disqualifier.